Systems and Types of Governments

What do an absolute monarchy, dictatorship, and oligarchy have in common?

• The head of state is chosen by Parliament.

• Their citizens decide public issues for themselves.

• Political power is exercised by representatives elected by the people.

• A single individual or small group exercises control over government.

Which type of government selects its executive leadership from the majority party in the legislature?

• unitary

• federal

• confederal

• parliamentary

The Venn diagram below compares two forms of monarchy. Which might be considered an advantage of the type of monarchy shown on the right?

• It can negotiate peace treaties.

• It can act more quickly in a crisis.

• It provides stronger guarantees of individual rights.

• Its representatives can meet with foreign dignitaries.

Which statement is true of a federal but not of a unitary system of government?

• Its local governments are extensions of the central government.

• Its local governments cannot be abolished by the central government.

• Its central government usually appoints the leaders of local governments.

• Its central government delegates responsibilities to local governments to carry out.

The table below compares the parliamentary and presidential forms of government. Which statement completes the table?

• The Prime Minister is chosen by the monarch.

• The Prime Minister is chosen by the President.

• The Prime Minister is directly elected by voters.

• The Prime Minister is chosen by a majority of the Members of Parliament.

Why did the authors of the Constitution create a federal system of government rather than a unitary system?

• They wanted to limit the role of the people in government.

• They did not trust the state governments.

• They had seen how inefficient a weak central government was under the Articles of Confederation.

• They feared a central government that was too powerful.

The photographs below show one British and one American leader. What was a major difference between their governments?

• Churchill sat in the legislature as well as leading the executive branch.

• Churchill's power was checked by the executive branch.

• Lincoln was chosen to lead the executive by Congress.

• Lincoln did not serve for a fixed term in office.

What did communism and socialism have in common?

• They often resulted in brutal dictatorships and economic stagnation.

• They believed that the ideal society was one in which the government abolished all forms of private property.

• They both promoted a violent social revolution in which workers would take control of the government.

• They believed that government should provide services to the community to raise the average standard of living.

Which form of government gives the most power to ordinary citizens?

• autocracy

• oligarchy

• absolute monarchy

• representative democracy

Which statement describes a socialist government?

• Primary political power rests with local governments.

• Taxes are low, but government services are extremely limited.

• The government owns several basic industries and provides many services at no cost.

• Private property is abolished and all goods and services are provided to citizens by the government.